I betrayed myself with a smile and an empty sentiment: “It’s okay; I understand.” I offered this deception to my “friend,” but the truth was—I didn’t understand, and it was not okay—not in the least. I was hurt, let down, and shocked.
The details of the situation will remain unsaid; they are not for the world to know. But I want to share how God attended to my spirit afterward and helped me move past it. We all experience moments like these, and perhaps how God ministered to me will minister to you. Moments like these should remain just that—moments—and not linger for days, months, years, or a lifetime.
This particular moment came with a friendly strike—a solid hit. It awakened an intrusive belief hidden deep within my core: a belief that I am not good enough, insufficient, unlovable, and easily discarded. In one deplorable, catch-all phrase, it screamed, “I lack value.”
That single phrase, in my mind, explained so much—why I’ve been hurt by others, why I’m not chosen, why I fear opening my wings and taking flight. It was a lie straight from the pit, a seed that had taken deep root within me.
It was equivalent to a fiery dart or the poison of an asp. It came quickly and struck with ill intent. Life brings these moments. We may not dodge every dart, and like bitterness, it’s hard to remove once it takes root. But we can apply the salve of truth to remedy it.
As I walked away from the hurtful interaction, my mind dismissed confusion and clung to the lie. Although I couldn’t understand their actions, I found a reasonable cause: “I have no value.” Distancing myself from the situation and the failed friendship, I took deep breaths and quickened my pace. My mind was racing—I was going to fall apart, and I didn’t want anyone to see it.
Finding a private place, I poured my heart out to my ever-faithful Father. As always, He listened until I reached the end of my own strength. I remained motionless, waiting, searching for His peace. I felt none. I knew He was with me—I could feel His presence. So where was the peace? Instead of peace, I received what I describe as “a come-to-Jesus-moment”—a time of correction and repentance.
As His Spirit drew closer, I did not feel His peace. I felt His anger. Then, He began to bring Scripture to my mind and speak to my heart. Passionately, He reminded me: “I created you! I formed you! I redeemed you! I bought you with My blood! You are Mine! I, and only I, impute value! And to Me, you are precious.”
Yes, God was angry and jealous. His daughter had received and believed a dangerous lie. As I wept in repentance, I pressed into Him. His anger faded, replaced by His love and peace. Then, God allowed a familiar passage of Scripture to wash over my soul and flood my mind.
Isaiah 43:1, 4, 7:
“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee. Even everyone that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”
Although I was familiar with this portion of the Word, I had never personalized it. I hadn’t thought it referred to me because it mentions a lineage I am not part of. But verse seven does include me, and I am deeply thankful.
Finally, God reminded me of Hebrews 12:1: “Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
I had allowed a lie to become part of my belief system. I was told that lie before I had come to know the Lord. It was so embedded in me that I never questioned it. Even after my salvation, it remained.
That lie became a weight, a sin, and it caused me to stumble and fall. It paralyzed me and tainted my relationship with God. So easily, it beset me. So easily, it tripped me up, keeping me from running the race set before me. I had become dependent on others to determine my value and forgot whose voice truly mattered.
Sharing this experience makes me feel vulnerable, but I know I’m not alone in this entrapment. How many of us fail to see ourselves as God sees us? How many of us believe we are not enough, that everything is our fault, that we don’t deserve what others seem to? How many of us fail to believe what God says about us?
The key is replacing wrong core beliefs with truth. Will life still happen? Yes, but we must uproot the lies that hinder our ability to move forward, heal, and thrive in His divine will.
It has been some time since this wonderful encounter with my Lord, and I am still uncovering lies entangled in my innermost being. But when I find them, I rip them out and replace them with God’s Word. His Word is alive, powerful, and meant for every soul.
You are more than what others say you are—even more than what you believe about yourself. You are God’s handiwork, His masterpiece. He has written His name upon you. He determines your value—no one else. You are precious!
Life will bring its moments—offenses and hurts are inevitable. But we are called to live abundantly, and focusing on God’s Word and love is essential—especially in painful times.
Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
It’s okay to reject someone else’s opinion of you and cling to God’s opinion. It’s okay to say, “They are wrong. I am loved. I am valuable,” and believe it. So, start tearing out the lies that have easily beset you. Replace them with His Word, His truth. Say it out loud:
“I am loved. I do have value. God says so!”
Then, plant the Scriptures that replace the lies that have held you bound for so long. And run your race a little lighter, freer—more abundantly!
